The intricate world of Game of Thrones captivated audiences globally, and at its heart was Daenerys Targaryen, the Mother of Dragons. Her journey from a sheltered princess to a powerful queen is deeply rooted in the history of House Targaryen. Understanding the Daenerys Targaryen Family Tree is crucial for any fan seeking to grasp the full scope of Westeros’s power dynamics and the complex legacy that Daenerys inherited.
The revelation in Game of Thrones season seven finale that Jon Snow is also a Targaryen, with the true name Aegon Targaryen, further complicated the family dynamics. This discovery, alongside the established incestuous relationship between Jon and Daenerys, highlights the importance of tracing the Targaryen lineage. The name Aegon itself carries significant weight within the Targaryen dynasty, invoking images of conquerors and kings, adding layers to Jon Snow’s identity and destiny.
To navigate this complex web of relationships, a detailed exploration of the Targaryen family tree is essential. Fortunately, talented fan artists have taken on this challenge, creating visual representations that illuminate the vast and sometimes convoluted history of this once-mighty house. One such artist, Maryon B., has crafted a comprehensive Targaryen family tree that serves as both an educational tool and a stunning piece of art.
Complete House Targaryen Family Tree artwork by Maryon B., showcasing the extensive lineage of Daenerys Targaryen and her ancestors.
Maryon B., a French artist and Game of Thrones enthusiast, dedicated herself to illustrating the entire Targaryen lineage from George R.R. Martin’s A Song of Ice and Fire series. Her motivation stemmed from a desire to move beyond the simplistic portrayal of Targaryens as uniformly beautiful, silver-haired figures. She aimed to capture the individuality and depth within the dynasty, revealing the intricate tapestry of their history.
The Targaryens are far more than just their striking Valyrian appearance; their history is filled with pivotal moments that have shaped Westeros. Their dynasty is marked by both glory and tragedy, and understanding their lineage is key to appreciating the full context of Game of Thrones.
The Legacy of Aegon the Conqueror and the Targaryen Dynasty
The name Aegon resonates deeply within the Targaryen family, primarily due to Aegon I Targaryen, known as Aegon the Conqueror. He initiated the Targaryen dynasty’s reign over Westeros, uniting six of the Seven Kingdoms under his rule. His conquests established the Targaryens as the dominant power for centuries, and the name “Aegon” became synonymous with Targaryen ambition and power.
Rhaegar Targaryen’s lineage, highlighting his connection to the Targaryen kings, though missing his marriage to Lyanna Stark and Jon Snow.
Beyond Aegon the Conqueror, other Aegons played significant roles in Targaryen history. Aegon V, famously known as “Egg” from the Dunk and Egg novellas, was remembered as a wise and just ruler. His reign, though marked by a harsh winter, was a period of relative stability and prosperity for Westeros. However, the lineage also includes figures like Aerys II Targaryen, the “Mad King” and Daenerys’s father, whose descent into madness ultimately led to the Targaryen downfall.
Daenerys’s brother, Rhaegar Targaryen, was a central figure in the events leading up to Robert’s Rebellion. His elopement with Lyanna Stark, initially perceived as a kidnapping, ignited a conflict that reshaped Westeros. Season seven revealed that Rhaegar had annulled his marriage to Elia Martell and secretly married Lyanna, making Jon Snow, their son, a legitimate Targaryen heir. Robert Baratheon’s rebellion, fueled by the perceived abduction of Lyanna and the Mad King’s atrocities, resulted in the Targaryen dynasty being overthrown, with only Viserys and Daenerys fleeing into exile.
The complexities of Rhaegar’s actions and the subsequent rebellion are crucial to understanding Daenerys’s inherited world. She grew up in exile, haunted by the legacy of her father and the loss of her family’s kingdom, shaping her ambitions to reclaim the Iron Throne.
Delving Deeper: Exploring the Vast Targaryen Family Tree
The Targaryen family tree extends far beyond the figures immediately relevant to Daenerys and Jon Snow. It encompasses over 100 characters across 16 generations of fictional history, revealing a sprawling network of alliances, conflicts, and intricate relationships.
One example from this extensive lineage is Rhaenys Targaryen, known as “The Queen Who Never Was.” Despite being the elder heir, her claim to the Iron Throne was passed over in favor of her brother, Viserys I, due to the laws of succession at the time. Rhaenys was a dragon rider and married Corlys Velaryon, a famous seafarer. Her story highlights the patriarchal norms of Westeros and the challenges faced by women seeking power within the Targaryen dynasty.
Portrait of Rhaenys Targaryen, “The Queen Who Never Was”, illustrating a branch in Daenerys Targaryen’s extensive family history.
Alyssa Velaryon, Rhaenys’s great-grandmother, further illustrates the interconnectedness of noble houses within Westeros. She married Aenys I Targaryen, the son of Aegon the Conqueror, solidifying the Targaryen-Velaryon alliance. Their descendants faced numerous challenges and internal conflicts, showcasing the turbulent nature of Targaryen rule.
Illustration depicting the family of King Aenys I Targaryen, highlighting the early generations of Daenerys Targaryen’s ancestors.
Another significant branch in the Targaryen tree is House Blackfyre. They originated from Daemon Blackfyre, a legitimized bastard son of King Aegon IV Targaryen. Aegon IV’s decision to legitimize his bastards sparked the Blackfyre Rebellions, a series of civil wars that plagued Westeros for generations. This conflict demonstrates the internal strife and challenges to Targaryen rule, even from within their own bloodline.
House Blackfyre lineage, stemming from the Targaryen dynasty and representing a significant conflict within Daenerys Targaryen’s ancestral history.
Maryon B.’s dedication to illustrating the Targaryen family tree arose from her deep engagement with Martin’s A Song of Ice and Fire novels. Starting with characters from the Dunk and Egg stories, her project organically expanded to encompass the entire Targaryen dynasty. She aimed to capture the individuality of each character while maintaining the recognizable Targaryen features, a challenging artistic endeavor that required extensive research and creativity.
By meticulously detailing each member of the Targaryen lineage, Maryon’s work reveals the strategic marriages and alliances that were crucial to the Targaryen’s long reign. Marriages to houses like Martell, Baratheon, and Velaryon were not just personal unions but political maneuvers to secure their dynasty’s future. Ultimately, exploring the Daenerys Targaryen family tree through such detailed artwork enhances our understanding of the rich history and complex characters that define Game of Thrones. It demonstrates that Daenerys’s story is not just her own, but the culmination of generations of Targaryen history, ambition, and legacy.
